What to do to increase your thermal comfort?
What to do to increase your thermal comfort?
During hot summer days, maintaining thermal comfort can be challenging. Here are evidence-based, behavioral strategies to help you stay cool and comfortable while optimizing energy efficiency and indoor air quality.
Recommended indoor temperature: 24–26 °C (75–79 °F)
Humidity: 40–60%
• Check that the air temperature is between 24–26 °C. Every degree lower increases energy consumption by 6–8%.
If you are in a monitored environment, check the room temperature using the NBLL App.
If you are in a non-sensorized environment, use your phone as a sensor and turn off the system when not needed.
• Close windows from late morning to late afternoon to avoid heat ingress (or if the temperature is higher than 26 °C).
• Close doors to non-cooled spaces to prevent loss of conditioned air when AC is on.
• Open windows during late afternoon or early morning when outdoor temperature is lower than indoor temperature (with AC off). Keep interior doors open to improve cross-ventilation and promote air movement when using natural ventilation.
• Ensure at least one daily air exchange for indoor air quality, even in summer.
• Close blinds, curtains, or external shading devices during peak sun hours.
• Open them in the early morning or evening to maximize natural light without heat gain.
• Drink water regularly to support your body's natural cooling mechanisms. Avoid excessive caffeine, which can hinder thermoregulation.
• When indoor temperatures are very high (> 28°C), wet your wrists and neck to quickly reduce body heat.
During cold winter days, maintaining thermal comfort while conserving energy can be challenging. Here are evidence-based, behavioral strategies to help you stay warm and comfortable while optimizing energy efficiency and indoor air quality.
Recommended indoor temperature: 20–22 °C (68–72 °F)
Humidity: 40–50%
• Set the thermostat to 20–22 °C. Every degree higher increases energy consumption by 6–8%.
If you are in a monitored environment, check the room temperature using the NBLL App.
If you are in a non-sensorized environment, use your phone as a sensor and lower heating when leaving the room.
• Keep windows closed during cold hours to prevent heat loss.
• Close doors to unheated spaces to prevent loss of warm air.
• Open windows briefly (5–10 minutes) during the warmest part of the day for air exchange. Turn off heating during ventilation to avoid energy waste.
• Ensure at least one daily air exchange for indoor air quality, even in winter. Short, intense ventilation is better than leaving windows slightly open for long periods.
• Open blinds and curtains on south-facing windows during sunny hours to let natural warmth in.
• Close curtains and blinds after sunset to add an extra layer of insulation and retain heat.
• Check windows and doors for drafts. Use draft stoppers or weather stripping if needed.
• Keep furniture away from radiators to allow proper heat circulation.
• Wear warm clothing indoors (sweaters, socks, slippers) to stay comfortable at lower thermostat settings. Each layer can allow you to reduce heating by 1–2 °C.
• Drink warm beverages like tea, coffee, or hot water to help maintain body warmth from the inside.
• Light physical activity helps generate body heat. Take short movement breaks if you've been sitting for a long time.